Taft netters lose five set battle

It wasn't the way the Taft varsity volleyball team wanted to end their home schedule after falling 25-22, 16-25, 17-25, 25-17, 15-12 to the Arvin Bears Tuesday night at home.

The start of the match was a different story with Taft jumping out to a 10-4 advantage. Arvin fought back to tie the set at 11 before Taft regained the advantage. Taft was able to maintain the lead until Arvin outscored Taft 3-2 to lead 16-15.

After Taft tied the score at 16, Arvin took off by going on a 7-1 run. Taft narrowed the deficit to two but the Lady Bears scored the final point.

Both teams were in a battle to start the second set with five different ties. After Arvin took a one point lead, the Lady Wildcats caught fire with a 10-2 run. Arvin countered to get within four but Taft went on a 6-1 run to close out the second set.

The beginning of the third set was close with Taft holding a slim advantage. Following three ties and trailing by one, Taft threatened to pull away with a 5-1 run to lead 15-12. Arvin stayed close until the Lady Wildcats took off again with five straight points. The Lady Bears would get within six two different times but that was as close as they got.

It looked as if Taft would put the Lady Bears away in the fourth set by jumping out to a 7-1 advantage. However, Arvin roared back to take an 11-9 advantage. After Taft narrowed the lead down to one, Arvin countered with a 5-2 run.

Taft cut the deficit to two before Arvin outscored Taft 7-1 the rest of the way to send the match to a fifth set.

Arvin carried their momentum into the final set with a 9-3 run. Taft answered by getting within two but Arvin increased their lead to four. Taft made one last attempt by cutting the deficit to one but Arvin scored the final two points to win.